5480 Prayers

I remember when Benjamin was born. It was May 25th, 2001, in Sioux Falls. I was overwhelmed at the prospect of parenting. Like changing diapers and feeding him. Little did I know that was the easy stuff. He is far from perfect, but this creative, funny, compassionate, and intelligent young man is becoming more than I ever hoped for.

On the day he was born I began praying a prayer. It is Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians found in Ephesians 3:14-21. I have prayed it every day since then for Benjamin and now pray it for his brother David. The best I can count–5480 times. It has been such a blessing. I encourage you to pray it for a loved one.

Benjamin loves British stuff: Literature, politics, and history. He gets to spend the first six days of his fifteenth year visiting the UK. Happy birthday Benjamin!

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

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Prayers from The Water's Edge is an engaging collection of prayers and writings for those who wish to dip their feet in the water of God's renewing grace and all who seek the depths of God's heart. All proceeds from the book go to The Water's Edge building fund.

On the Future of Methodism

I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out. -John Wesley